Swimming appliance



oct. 19 1926;v J F. CNQ 1,603,616

SWIMMINGv APPLI'ANE Filed NOV. 14, 1925 mfL/// Patented Qct. 19, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOHN FALONG, OF GEROME, WASHINGTON.

.SWIMMING APPLIANGE.

Application led November My presentinvention relates to improvements in swimming appliances or shoes to be applied to the feet of swimmers, and designed as aids to the swimmer in propelling himself through the water.

The invention contemplates the use of foldable wings or blades hinged preferably at the outer side of the swimmers feet to the shoe and adapted to be retained in extended position during the working stroke of the foot or leg and to be automatically retracted during the forward movement of the foot.

Means are provided whereby the foldable blade or paddle may be turned to and held in inoperative position while the user is walking, and the appliance as attached to the shoe is constructed in such manner as also to facilitate walking to and from the water.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complet-e example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure l is a perspective view of one of a pair of swimming appliances showing the features of my invention, with the propelling blade in extended operative position.

Figure 2 is a sectional detail view showing the blade in extended operative position, and in dotted lines showing the retracted or folded position when in use and also the inoperative position of the blade when not in use.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the device, showing the blade in extended position and the combined stop and latch for the blade.

It will be understood that the foldable blade is adapted to fold or turn backwardly toward the rear on the forward movement of the leg and to be extended by pressure against the water to position parallel with the plane of the bottom of the foot on the rear or working stroke of the foot or leg. When in the inoperative position the foldable blade is turned up alongside the anlle of the toot te permit walking in customary 14, 1925. Serial N0. 69,036.

In carrying out my invention I utilize a pair of swimming shoes one of which is designated l, to the bottom of which is attached a base or sole 2, which conforms to the outline of the shoe, but terminates short of the toe portion of the shoe and foot to permit fiexure of the sole of the foot when walking.

The foldable blade or paddle 3 is preferably constructed of light metal as aluminum and is slightly dished or concaved on its working face to assist in providing an efficient bearing face against the water. means of a pair of hinges 4, 4, the blades are joined to permit a folding movement as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2, and the blade 3, which is of generally rectangular or oblong shape is fashioned with an opening or notch 5.

For controlling and limiting the movement of the foldable blade I employ a combined abutment and latch member which includes a slide plate 6 disposed transversely of the fixed base plate and foldable blade and carried by the fixed plate.

At 7, 7, two longitudinally extending slots are provided in the slide plate, and headed rivets or bolts 8 are used to retain the slide plate in adjusted position with relation to the base plate and blade. The headed rivets or bolts frictionally engage the slotted plate for the purpose of holding it in its adjusted position. Thus when in use the slide plate is slid across the blade as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2 to provide an abutment for the blade and receive the pressure applied by the working or back stroke of the leg. rIhe plate is retained in this position during the swimming operation, and it will be apparent that on the forward movement of the leg and foot, the blade will swing on its hinges to the rear or downwardly into contact with a fixed abutment or stop S carried by the base plate 2 in position to prevent excessive movement of the blade, and as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2. It will thus be apparent that with a pair of foldable blades carried at the outsides of the shoes as worn by the swimmer, with the abutments 6 extended, the blades will automatically swing on their hinges as described to assist in propelling the user through the water.

When not swmmi-wlwhen passing' and freni the. water the blade 3 may be swung up to vertical position alongside the ankle of the wearer and retained in such position to permit freedom in Walking.

For retaining` the blade 3 in inoperativeposition, the slide plate is fashioned with a perpendicular iang'e 9 and an angular hook l0, the latter adapted to project into the notch orV opening' 5 when the blade is turned up alongside the ankle and engage the Walls of the openingas indicatedin Fig'- ure 2 in full lines of the hook. blade turned up and retained in thedotted line' position. and due to the termination of the base plate 2 back of the toes or toe portion of the shoe, the wearer is enabled to Walk with facility to and fromthe Water,

lith the and Can change his shees in the dresaing room or bath house.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is* The combination With a base plate and a hinged blade, of a transversely7 diepoeed, slotted, slide plate and means for retaining said plate on tnhe base plate Whereb7 the slitte plate may be extended to 'torni an abutment for the blade, and a latch hook on said Slide plate adapted to co-aet with a latch openingin the blade for retaining` the latter in inoperative position.

ln testimony whereoll I atlix my signature.

JOHN F. LONG. 

